Milford's First Medical Marijuana Dispensary Opens: Report

Written By Brian McCready (Patch Staff)

MILFORD, CT — It's official, a new medical marijuana dispensary has opened in Milford.

The new facility opened at 318 New Haven Avenue last week and has already been utilized by 70 patients, WTNH News 8 reports. Raj Patel, manager of Southern Connecticut Wellness and Healing LLC, told News 8 that clients tell him that the medication is really helping them.

While one facility has opened, the one that garnered a significant amount of controversy won't open until the fall. The next medical marijuana dispensary is set to open at 255 West River Street.

Local residents have protested the West River Street dispensary expressing concerns about its close proximity to a school and a church.

The state and the city’s zoning enforcement officer had already approved the application earlier this year, and of the 17 proposals for new medical marijuana dispensaries in Connecticut, a staggering 9 were pitched for Milford, the New Haven Register reports.

The operator of the soon to open dispensary on West River Street has pledged that there will be extensive security there and that they just wants to help people who are sick, adds the Register.

Milford officials tried to have the state review whether it was appropriate for the West River Street dispensary to open in light of resident concerns, but the state said the applicant acted in good faith and followed the city's zoning laws.

Read the full News 8 story here.